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John Ferrara

John Ferrara

Bass Lessons

John Ferrara is a bassist and composer, best known for his work with the acclaimed world fusion band “Consider the Source.” He’s gained worldwide recognition for his unorthodox approach to writing and performing which he accomplishes largely by utilizing the “two-handed tapping technique”. His unique approach alters the instrument’s role into something more akin to a piano or classical guitar. Where Ferrara’s take on the bass guitar showcases his technical proficiency, his ethos as an artist is strictly to serve an emotional end, making his compositions both comprehensible, relatable, and palatable.

John’s new album, A Lesson in Impermanence is streaming on Spotify and all major platforms. John is also available for private online lessons, via his website. Be sure to check out his Youtube channel.

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Latest from John:

Tapping Technique and Composition: Tapping Chord With Melodies on “Riches to the Conjuror”
Tapping Technique and Composition

Tapping Technique and Composition: Tapping Chord With Melodies on “Riches to the Conjuror”

The final installment of John Ferrara’s excellent “Tapping Technique and Composition” lesson series on No Treble is here. In this episode, John shows one way that we can accomplish playing a melody on top of an arpeggiated chord progression.

Tapping Technique and Composition: Percussive Bass Tapping on “Riches to the Conjuror”
Tapping Technique and Composition

Tapping Technique and Composition: Percussive Bass Tapping on “Riches to the Conjuror”

For his newest “Tapping Technique and Composition” lesson, John Ferrara says, “Let’s turn the bass into a drum, shall we?” The technique used in this lesson is his new favorite to play with in a solo bass setting.

Tapping Technique and Composition: Tapping Polyrhythms, Part 2 – Zeroes and Ones
Tapping Technique and Composition

Tapping Technique and Composition: Tapping Polyrhythms, Part 2 – Zeroes and Ones

In this new “Tapping Technique” bass lesson, John Ferrara shares part 2 of his “Tapping Polyrhythms” series. This lesson is based on one rhythm doing 3 and one doing 2. Check this out.

Tapping Technique and Composition: Tapping Polyrhythms, Part 1 – Zeroes and Ones
Tapping Technique and Composition

Tapping Technique and Composition: Tapping Polyrhythms, Part 1 – Zeroes and Ones

In this new “Tapping Technique and Composition” bass lesson, John Ferrara focuses on tapping polyrhythms. In part 1 of this series, he uses his song, “Zeroes and Ones,” to demonstrate.

Tapping Technique and Composition: False Delay Tapping on “The Gnome and The Skeleton”
Tapping Technique and Composition

Tapping Technique and Composition: False Delay Tapping on “The Gnome and The Skeleton”

In this episode of “Tapping Technique and Composition,” John Ferrara focuses on the subject of “False Delay Tapping.” This technique includes tapping notes with the left hand and then mimicking them with staccato notes with the right.

Tapping Technique and Composition: Tremolo Tapping on “The Gnome and The Skeleton”
Tapping Technique and Composition

Tapping Technique and Composition: Tremolo Tapping on “The Gnome and The Skeleton”

John Ferrara’s next bass lesson in his “Tapping Technique and Composition” series focuses on “Tremolo Tapping.” John demonstrates this technique using his song, “The Gnome and the Skeleton.”

Tapping Technique and Composition: “Perhaps Everything, Perhaps Nothing” – Part 2
Tapping Technique and Composition

Tapping Technique and Composition: “Perhaps Everything, Perhaps Nothing” – Part 2

In this new “Tapping Technique and Composition” lesson, John Ferrara covers two main topics: Tapping in odd time signatures and a more in-depth explanation of extracting as much as you can out of a musical idea before moving on to something new.

Tapping Technique and Composition: “Perhaps Everything, Perhaps Nothing” – Part 1
Tapping Technique and Composition

Tapping Technique and Composition: “Perhaps Everything, Perhaps Nothing” – Part 1

John Ferrara has joined No Treble. In this first part of his Tapping Technique and Composition bass lesson series, he focuses on drone tapping.